Last modified: 2004-12-22 by zeljko heimer
Keywords: oromiya | oromo | ethiopia | tree | star |
Links: FOTW homepage |
search |
disclaimer and copyright |
write us |
mirrors
See also:
According to the Ethiopian Parliament site,
Oromia is the largest of the new states. It "at present comprises of 12 administrative
zones and 180 woredas. Of the 12 zones, Bale and Borena account for 45.7% of the
State's total area but only about 14% of the state's population." "The
State of Oromia borders Afar, Amhara and the State of Benshangul/Gumuz in
the north, Kenya in the south, The State of Somali in the east, the
Republic of the Sudan and the state of Benishangul/Gumuz in the west, the
State of Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' and the state of
Gambella in the south." "Based on the political map (1994 Population and
Housing Census Commission, CSA), the estimated area of the State of Oromia
is about 353,690 Km2, and accounts for almost 32% of the country." The
capital is "Finfine (Addis Ababa)", I suppose that this means that part of
Addis Ababa belongs to the state. Again, this is a state based on ethnical
distribution, having a large majority of Oromo population (85%).
It's difficult to get an idea of this state's geography in relation to the
old provinces. Since it borders Kenya and Sudan, it has to be an elongated
state with a sort of "arm" to the west, or somewhat triangular along
central Ethiopia. The old provinces of Shawa and Arsi should be totally
within Oromia, and also at least parts of Sidamo. The connection with Sudan
is probably through Gojam.
Jorge Candeias, 29 December 1999
Flag image above (1) according to [flm] Flagmaster nr. 93 (Spring 1999). Reports vary in flag ratio and shape of the tree. (Ed. based on report from Jaume Ollé, 1999)
The flag is very similar to that posted by Jaume: a red-white-black
horizontal tricolour with a tree centered (2). Here's the only difference: the
tree at the site of the Ethiopian Parliament is less stylized and not
entirely green. It is perhaps a specific tree, but unfortunately there's no
"flora" section in the website.
Jorge Candeias, 29 December 1999
contributed by Tesfaye Gabriel, 27 January 1999
Before colonization, the Oromo nation was free and had their own social, political and legal system. This system is called "Gadaa", and it is a system that has guided the religious, social, political, economic, their philosophy, art, history and method of time keeping. In Gadaa system the Oromo society is grouped according to their age and undertake different responsibilities in different ages.
In Gadaa system, the Oromo practiced their own religion by worshipping Waaqa which means God. Waaqa is one and the same for all. The religion affairs is undertaken by Qaallu/Qaallitti (male/female) just as any religion leader (Bishop, Imam, Rabbi, ...). Qaallu/Qaallitti plays both a spiritual and political role in Gadaa system where different national ceremonies are organized and overseen by Qaallu/Qaallitti institution. It was also a repository of important ceremonial articles or collective symbols like in the Buttaa ceremony, the bokku (scepter), the national flag, etc.
The national flag is made in the colors of the Qaallu turban (surri ruufa). The national
flag has three colors: black at the top, red in the center and white at the bottom (all of
them have the same size). In the Gadaa, the three colors black, red and white, represented
those yet to enter active life, those in active life and those who had passed through
active life, respectively, in short we can say, the past, current, and future.
Thanh-Tâm Lê, 11 February 1999
The flag is also shown on the chart Flags of Aspirant Peoples [eba94] (listed uder nr. 24)
Antonio Martins 29 May 2003
by Thanh-Tâm Lê, 27 January 1999
In a 1992 magazine I found a picture showing the flag of Oromo Liberation Front, an
Ethiopian armed movement for the independence (or supremacy ?) of Oromo people. The flag
is 3 horizontal (red green red) striped with a yellow rayed disc; inside it the green shape
of Oromo land [in fact, a tree. Ed.] and above a red star.
Giuseppe Bottasini, 24 June 1996
The flag of the Oromo Liberation Front, appeared in [flm] Flagmaster No. 068 - 1991, p.7. This brief news article gives the colour details of the flag. The only actual colour meaning it gives is the central yellow Sun. The red star would symbolize the left-wing political direction of this movement, I assume. It also lists the then address of the Oromo Relief Association ( 1 Amwell Street, London, EC1R 1UL, England ). This flag also appears on my flag chart, [eba94] Flags of Aspirant Peoples, flag no. 24.
Ralph Bartlett, 20 November 2004
Source: [flm] Flagmaster nr. 93 (Spring 1999).